ISRO superstitious before rocket launch?
By Venkatachari Jagannathan, IANSWednesday, September 23, 2009
SRIHARIKOTA - Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) do not just rely on scientific calculations before a rocket launch - they also seek divine help.
Prior to every launch, the scientists make a visit to Tirupathi to have a ‘darshan’ of Lord Balaji seeking his blessings by placing a replica of the rocket to be launched.
It seems the superstition extends to numbers as well.
After the 12th commercial launch of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle termed PSLV-C12 from the spaceport here, ISRO has jumped one number and called its next rocket, that launched Oceansat-2 and six European nano satellites, as PSVL-C14.
Queried about the fate of PSLV-C13, a high ranking ISRO official told IANS: “There is no such rocket designated with that number.”
He declined to comment when queried whether ISRO considered 13 an unlucky number.
